Tamer's Path

The training session began with Atlas leading Akira and his team into the basement of the guild. The massive underground chamber was reinforced with magic and technology, designed to withstand powerful spells and intense battles. Its walls shimmered faintly, glowing with runic patterns that absorbed energy, ensuring the safety of those inside.

Atlas turned to face Akira and the others. His deep voice echoed through the chamber.

"Today, we start with the foundation of spellcraft: the magical language. This language allows you to connect with the energy of the world and mold it to your will. Without it, your potential remains untapped."

He then divided the team into two groups. Akira, Asura, Lilia, Sangrelis, and Voltis were placed together as beginners with no prior experience in the magical language. Elythia and Nyxarath, who had some understanding of the language, were assigned to train under Yuna, one of Atlas's most skilled assistants.

---

Atlas began with Akira, standing directly behind him. He placed a firm hand on Akira's back and spoke in a calm but commanding tone.

"Relax, Akira. Don't resist. I'll guide your energy through the runes. Feel the flow, memorize it, and then replicate it."

Akira nodded, his mind steady despite the strangeness of another person's energy intermingling with his own. He felt Atlas's energy, strong and precise, guiding his inner reserves. It was like being a puppet, his body moved to draw the runes in the air. Glowing symbols began to take form, shining faintly with a golden light.

"We'll start with something simple: Luminous Spark." Atlas explained. "This is a basic light rune. It's easy to create but still powerful enough to defend yourself in combat."

As the sequence of runes completed, Akira felt a surge of energy escape his body. A burst of blinding light illuminated the entire room, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. Atlas's barriers protected them from being temporarily blinded.

"Good work," Atlas said, patting Akira on the shoulder. "This rune was larger than necessary, but it's normal for beginners. The smaller the rune, the more efficient it becomes. Now, repeat this process ten times."

By the fifth repetition, Akira could feel his energy becoming more controlled, and the symbols appeared clearer in his mind. Atlas stepped back, observing silently as Akira completed the rest on his own.

---

Next, Atlas moved to Asura. The fiery creature stood tall and eager, his eyes glowing with anticipation.

"I want to master all runes," Asura declared confidently. "Weapons, armor, fire, water—I'll learn it all."

Atlas chuckled. "Ambitious, but for now, focus on fire. We'll start with Fire Power, a rune that enhances the heat of your flames."

Guiding Asura in the same manner, Atlas demonstrated the rune. Asura's first few attempts were clumsy, his energy overflowing and scorching the air. But by the third attempt, he started to grasp the technique, his flames burning brighter and hotter.

---

Lilia was next. Her calm demeanor was a sharp contrast to Asura's fiery enthusiasm. Atlas taught her Nature Power, a rune that enhanced the strength and durability of the roots and petals she summoned in combat.

"This rune is fundamental to your species," Atlas said. "It amplifies your abilities naturally, making you a formidable force on the battlefield."

Lilia picked up the rune quickly, her energy flowing smoothly. She was a natural, her connection to nature evident in how effortlessly the runes responded to her will.

---

When Atlas reached Sangrelis, the bat-like creature was impatient.

"Teach me a body enhancement rune," Sangrelis demanded. "I need speed and strength, not flashy spells."

Atlas raised an eyebrow but complied. "Very well. The Body Enhancement Rune will boost your physical capabilities. Let's begin."

Sangrelis's first attempts were wild and unfocused, his energy fluctuating uncontrollably. Atlas guided him patiently, correcting his movements and calming his mind. By the end of the session, Sangrelis had managed to stabilize the rune, his body pulsing with newfound strength.

---

Finally, Atlas worked with Voltis, the serpent-like dragon.

"For you, Lightning Boost will be your starting point. It increases the intensity and speed of your lightning-based attacks," Atlas explained.

Voltis coiled his long body and concentrated. With Atlas's guidance, the runes sparked to life, crackling with electricity. The dragon's eyes glowed with excitement as he felt the increase in his power.

---

In a separate part of the chamber, Yuna faced the more experienced duo: Elythia and Nyxarath. She observed them with a mix of curiosity and caution.

"Unlike the others, you already have some knowledge of the magical language. My job is to refine your skills and introduce you to new runes," Yuna said, holding up her rune book.

Nyxarath, the shadowy figure, crossed his arms. "I want an attack rune. Something deadly."

Yuna frowned but nodded. "Very well. You'll practice Mind Break, a rune that disorients and damages the mind of your target."

Elythia, the wasp-like warrior, spoke up. "I need a speed rune. My current movements feel sluggish with the new equipment."

Yuna flipped through her book and selected Wind Spirit's Blessing, a rune that enhanced speed and reduced air resistance.

Unlike Akira's group, Nyxarath and Elythia refused direct guidance.

"Show us the rune, and we'll figure it out ourselves," Nyxarath said arrogantly.

Yuna sighed. "Suit yourselves, but this will take longer without my help."

True to her prediction, the two struggled to replicate the runes. Their pride and refusal to accept guidance slowed their progress, much to Yuna's frustration.

---

By the end of the session, Akira's group had successfully learned their assigned runes, their progress far exceeding expectations thanks to Atlas's hands-on approach.

Meanwhile, Nyxarath and Elythia were still fumbling with their runes. Voltis and Sangrelis couldn't resist mocking them.

"Looks like the 'experts' aren't so skilled after all," Voltis sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sangrelis chuckled. "Maybe they should ask for help next time."

Despite the teasing, Akira stepped in to mediate.

"Enough. This isn't a competition. We're all here to learn," he said firmly.

The training ended with mixed results, but one thing was clear: the team was beginning to grasp the foundations of the magical language, and with time, they would grow into a formidable force.

Yuna's Perspective

The underground chamber was filled with the faint hum of magical energy, but Yuna's attention was fully absorbed by her two students: Elythia, the disciplined wasp-like warrior, and Nyxarath, the aloof figure whose presence seemed to challenge the air itself. Yuna adjusted her glasses nervously, before clearing her throat to speak.

"I'll be guiding you through the refinement of your magical language," she announced, keeping her voice steady despite the undercurrent of tension she could feel from Nyxarath's skeptical gaze and Elythia's quiet but unwavering confidence. They're both skilled, she thought, but they need to remember that magic isn't just about strength. It's about precision.

She opened her worn rune book, its pages filled with countless lessons, and held it up. "Today, we'll focus on two specific runes. Nyxarath, you'll be working on Mind Break, a rune designed to disorient your target and disrupt their mental state. Elythia, you'll practice Wind Spirit's Blessing, a rune that boosts your speed and reduces air resistance."

Nyxarath barely looked at her, his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. "Just show us the runes. We don't need to spend time on explanations. We'll figure it out."

Yuna blinked, momentarily surprised by his dismissal. Elythia, however, didn't show much difference in her demeanor. She gave a curt nod, as if silently agreeing with Nyxarath's sentiment. I understand their confidence, Yuna thought, her voice soft yet firm, but even the most skilled need guidance.

"If that's your choice," she said, her tone betraying a slight hesitation. "But magic, especially rune magic, requires careful balance. Without that, even the most powerful energy can backfire."

"We'll be fine," Nyxarath interrupted again, his shadowy form shifting restlessly.

Yuna hesitated but gave a slow nod. Let them try it their way, she thought, even though she knew they were risking failure. She demonstrated the runes slowly, tracing the symbols in the air with glowing fingers. The runes flickered briefly, leaving a faint trail of energy before vanishing into the air.

---

An hour later, Yuna stood in silence, watching as both Nyxarath and Elythia struggled to replicate the runes. Nyxarath's attempts were wild and chaotic—his energy splintering and sparking unpredictably as it failed to take the shape of the rune. Elythia, though more controlled, was still lacking the fluidity required to form the rune properly. She had the precision, but something was off, preventing the rune from fully materializing.

Yuna sighed inwardly, watching their progress—or lack thereof. I knew they would struggle, she thought. But they need to accept that there are things they still have to learn.

She spoke up after a long silence. "You're too focused on force. Magic isn't just about strength. It's about understanding the flow. Runes require both precision and fluidity, like a dance. You need to move with the energy, not push against it."

Elythia paused, her antennae twitching as she considered Yuna's words. She adjusted her stance, attempting again. The rune flickered halfway into existence before dissipating in a puff of energy. Elythia's frustration was evident, but there was a slight improvement.

Nyxarath, however, was becoming more stubborn. His attempts grew more erratic as his energy clashed against itself. Yuna could feel his growing impatience. He's not listening, she thought, and his pride's getting in the way.

---

It was during one of Nyxarath's more reckless attempts that the tension finally reached a breaking point. The rune he attempted exploded in a burst of unstable energy, sending sparks flying in every direction. Yuna flinched, but Elythia barely reacted, her mandibles clicking in irritation as Nyxarath cursed under his breath.

Yuna opened her mouth to speak, but before she could muster the words, Akira's voice cut through the tension with calm authority.

"That's enough."

Yuna turned in surprise to see Akira walking toward them, his usually warm expression replaced by one of quiet but firm resolve. He stopped a few paces from Nyxarath and Elythia, his presence immediately commanding attention.

"Yuna's here to help," Akira said, his voice carrying an edge of authority. "If you know so much already, why haven't you mastered the runes yet? You're wasting time. Instead of doing everything your way, try listening to her."

Nyxarath scowled, his dark figure flickering uneasily, but he didn't argue. Elythia folded her wings tightly, her frustration palpable, but she held her tongue.

Akira turned his attention to Yuna, his gaze softening slightly. "You're the expert here, Yuna. Don't let them push you around. They need your guidance."

Yuna's heart skipped a beat. She felt a warmth spread through her, her cheeks flushing slightly. He believes in me? The thought brought a surge of confidence. She nodded quickly, her voice almost a whisper. "O-okay."

---

The session continued, and while Elythia and Nyxarath still struggled, Yuna felt a renewed sense of determination. Slowly but surely, they began to make progress. Elythia's rune began to take shape, though it was still incomplete. Nyxarath's attempts were more stable, but still lacked the fluidity needed for success.

Though their progress was slow, Yuna could see they were improving—albeit far more gradually than she had hoped. Yet, as she guided them through the steps, her thoughts kept drifting back to Akira. He didn't have to step in, she thought, her heart fluttering. But he did. He believed in me when I doubted myself.

Even the smallest gestures of his—his calm guidance with his team, his quiet encouragement—left Yuna in awe. He's not just strong in magic, she reflected. He's strong in heart too.

By the end of the session, Elythia had made some progress in forming Wind Spirit's Blessing, but she hadn't fully succeeded. Nyxarath had stabilized his Mind Break rune, though it still flickered with erratic energy. Yuna felt both proud and frustrated. They need more time, she realized. But they're trying.

As Akira returned to his group, Yuna couldn't help but watch him. He was drenched in sweat from his own training, but his presence still radiated an easy confidence. Their eyes met briefly, and he gave her a small, encouraging smile.

Yuna quickly looked away, her heart racing. Why does he have such an effect on me?

---

As the others began to leave, Yuna lingered in the chamber, her thoughts turning inward. She traced a rune absently in the air as she replayed the events in her mind. I'm still learning, she thought with a quiet smile. Not just about magic, but about myself, too.

She allowed herself a moment to imagine—just for a moment—what it might be like to talk to Akira outside of the lessons and training. But the thought passed as quickly as it came, replaced by a soft blush. He's just kind, she reassured herself. That's all.

But even as she walked away, a quiet hope began to blossom in her heart. Maybe… maybe there's more to it than that.